T-Birds set for stretch run to the holiday break (photos added)

The Soo Thunderbirds will enter a homestretch of four games in eight days after a loss to the North Bay Skyhawks on Friday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

On Wednesday night at the Rhodes beginning at 7:30 p.m., the Thunderbirds will host the Blind River Beavers in game six of the Carmen Provenzano Memorial Cup, which has seen the Thunderbirds capture all five games this season between the two teams.

On Friday, the Sudbury Junior Wolves visit for a 7:30 p.m. start before the Beavers return for a 7 p.m. faceoff on Sunday. On Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m., the Northern Michigan Black Bears provide the opposition in the Thunderbirds' final game before a two week holiday break from Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action.

Both games against Blind River can be heard live on www.SportsJuice.com with the Beavers broadcast crew.

This past Friday, Jon Ryan broke a 2-2 tie with the only goal of the third period in a 3-2 North Bay victory.

After a scoreless first period, the two teams traded a pair of goals in the middle frame as Chris Towell and Kyle Rodgers scored for the Thunderbirds while Nick Kulas scored a pair for the Skyhawks.

Aaron Assinewei, picked up by the Thunderbirds this week, recorded an assist in his first game with the club.

Travis O'Brien was tagged with the loss in goal after facing 34 shots while the Thunderbirds managed just 20 shots on North Bay goaltender Mike Lalande.

(Photos courtesy of Jim Egan)